Baccalaureate+2010

Baccalaureate Address Class of 2010

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

History of Baccalaureate Ceremony:

Originated in a statute written in 1432 at Oxford University. Each bachelor was to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his Academic Requirement. (And you thought Senior Projects/Research Paper was tough!) With the founding of colleges and universities in the American colonies the tradition continued. So, I would now like to begin this Baccalaureate Address.... //**Expecta in nomen nostri beautus Jesus Sarcalogos Tutus laus quod veneratio existo donatus suus nomen.**//

Seriously...today the baccalaureate service is an inter-faith tradition maintained by churches in cooperation with public schools as an opportunity to Praise, to Worship, and to Celebrate! And I have a feeling you seniors are ready to do some celebrating! In his Baccalaureate Address to the Class of 2010 Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust highlighted the words of Robert F. Kennedy from a speech in 1966 wherein Kennedy addressed a gathering of South African students who were, at that time, struggling to end apartheid. "Like it or not," he told them, "We live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also more open to the creative energy of men (and women) than any other time in history. Forty-four years later RFK’s words echo their truth to the Class of 2010. From failed terror attacks by people so driven by hatred they would place explosives in their own underwear to try and kill innocent families traveling for the Christmas holidays; to the continued divide which seems to drive the bitterness of political extremism over issues like Health Care, immigration, and the Wall Street bail out; to environmental catastrophes wherein after more than fifty days oil continues to gush from a well a mile deep in the Gulf of Mexico spilling millions and millions of gallons of oil onto beaches and delicate tidal estuaries....we INDEED live in "interesting times!"

In 1798 an English poet, William Wordsworth (along with his friend Samuel Taylor Coleridge) published a collection of poems entitled //Lyrical Ballads//. Within these early works, the elements of what would later be termed The Romantic Age were born. One poem in particular, "Lines Written in Early Spring" more than 200 years later speaks, perhaps, to the world which you, as the Class of 2010, have inherited.

I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sat reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts, Bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ‘tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure: – But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure. The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?

I can only imagine what Wordsworth would think were he able to see the Gulf of Mexico today! The contemplative tone of this poem may seem fatalistic or pessimistic, but we must remember how an individual responds to adversity is often times what truly defines who he or she is.

In 2006 I stood in this very sanctuary and addressed another group of seniors. They were emotionally spent– having lost their classmate, Colby Bixler just two months prior to graduation. That was a tough message to deliver that year. I struggled to find what words I could offer to even try to make sense out of that tragedy– what struck me most was the painful recognition of what confusion students who did not have even a little faith were experiencing, having been caught off guard by such a tragedy. In Psalm 90:12 the psalmist offers a prayer to God to "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." A strong motif that is heavily stressed throughout my Academic curriculum is Carpe Diem or Seize the Day! This is a battle cry for life– to take each moment and make the most of it. As graduating seniors of the Class of 2010 you have marvelous opportunities before you. Yes...these are "interesting times" in the words of RFK, "times of danger and uncertainty", but in the midst of this adversity there is a hope which rises with a promise for a better tomorrow– a future that will be shaped by you and your generation. But if we fail to recognize our purpose in the grand scheme of things, or try to rely on our own understanding– surely we will fail.

This year has been a very interesting year for me, personally, and I wouldn’t be truthful if I told you I hadn’t struggled with my own faith. I was raised to believe in both God and country and the past year has caused me great frustration as our nation seems to weaken as it further divides. And regardless of how hard I have tried, I have not the patience nor the intellect to make sense of the headlines and news blogs. On top of that, my sister, who I love dearly has been diagnosed with cancer and today underwent her first aggressive chemotherapy treatment. She and I have been very close since we were kids. Prior to her diagnosis, she had sensed my frustration with life lately and a few weeks ago recommended I read a book by Pastor Brian Jones. In his book, **//Getting Rid of The Gorilla//** he talks about allowing your heart to find God’s peace through reconciliation and releasing bitterness and anger which, over the years, can choke your spirit and rob you of the joy God’s love provides.

In his book, Jones relates a time while he was in seminary when he felt his faith slipping away and he told his mentor it felt like when you stand on the beach and the waves roll over your feet. The rushing water is invigorating. Yet once it passes over you, it begins to change direction and as it rushes back out to sea, your feet begin to sink deeper in the sand as all the water erodes the tiny particles of sand. He questioned how God’s presence can be so real and invigorating and then seem to slip away like the sand. His wise mentor replied,"When all the sand is gone, Brian...it is **//then//** you will realize you are standing on the Rock." Like those insurance commercials that say, "Life comes at you hard"...life is filled with tragedy, conflict and disappointments which at times can leave you discouraged or overwhelmed. Yet, if you place your faith in God as you go forward...even when all the sand seems to be slipping away...The Rock...God’s cornerstone, The love of Jesus Christ will be there for you.

Later in the book, Pastor Jones describes a time when he accidentally turned onto a one way street going the wrong way. He said it didn’t take long to suddenly find himself at odds with the oncoming traffic. With no way to turn around he was forced to travel the entire city block facing angry drivers. Even pedestrians on the sidewalk got into the act of yelling at him as he traveled in obvious defiance of the accepted path of travel. Later, he came to realize the powerful symbolism of that day. As a Christian, we must purposefully choose to head in the opposite direction that the world chooses to travel. And if we are living our life according to God’s purpose, we will experience times when our very faith is tested. It would be so much easier to pull to the side of life’s highway and make a u-turn. It takes courage and sacrifice to face the problems of the world and seek God’s purpose in our lives.

There is a story my father has told me about two soldiers who grew up together, enlisted together, went to basic training together, and were deployed to the front lines together. During an intense fire fight, the order was given to fall back. In the confusion of the battle, the two friends had been separated. When the one solider realized his friend was not with the unit– he disobeyed orders and returned into the open to find his friend. His commanding officer told him to forget it! His buddy was already dead and it would be a suicide mission. He went anyway. Running into the open, under a hale of enemy fire he reached his friend...but it was too late. Although severely wounded now, himself, he managed to stagger back to his unit where he collapsed. In a rage his commanding officer yelled, "You fool! I told you you’d get yourself killed! It wasn’t worth it!" The soldier looked up into the face of his C.O. and said, "No sir. It was worth it! You see he was still alive when I reached him. His last words were, "I knew you would come for me!"

Christ tells us no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his friend. If I can offer any words of wisdom to you here today it is to challenge you to live lives worthy of the sacrifice. God loves each and every one of you. The prophet tells us he has great plans for each of you. If you seek Him with all your heart he will bless you beyond belief. The world you are inheriting is in trouble; our country is now engaged in the longest war in our nation’s history, our economy is deeply crippled by spiraling debt, and the environment continues to be negatively impacted by pollution and spilling oil. These are interesting times filled with danger and uncertainty! Yet your creative energy, with God’s help can allow you to face any obstacle.

Remember that speech Robert Kennedy delivered to those students in South Africa? He did not get to live to see the end of apartheid. At his funeral his brother Teddy offered the words of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw as a eulogy for his slain brother– "Some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream dreams that never were and ask why not?"

Class of 2010– dream dreams– use your many God given talents and creative energy to live lives worthy of the sacrifice. As you begin this next stage in life’s journey, keep your eyes and ears open for God’s plan for your life. I challenge each of you to maintain your integrity and like Pastor Jones’ experience on that city road, don’t allow the world to change your direction. Even when times get tough...stay the course. Tonight you may be one of those students who finds yourself still searching for something deeper, something //real// in which you can truly believe. Maybe you’ve experienced pain and heartache and over the years you have tried to deal with it all on your own. You realize that something is missing in your life, but you have never been able to find it on your own. If you are, then I want you to know that God’s love for you is real! He knows your worries and your fears and He wants you to be filled with joy and peace. His love for you is beyond measure and He wants to equip you with countless blessings that will enable you to weather even the worst of storms. Like Jeremiah said, "[If] you will call upon me and pray to me... I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." If after tonight you would like to talk with me or Pastor Pullen, or someone you know who has a personal relationship with Jesus please don’t wait. Even if it is just sending me a message on //Facebook//...now that you’re graduates I will "Friend" you! Life does come at you fast. Make today the day you chose to seize the day and truly know God’s love.

According to information from Georgetown University’s website, St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged his followers to be engaged in the serious reality wherein they lived. He did not wish to have them have the experience, but miss the meaning. You have had twelve years worth of educational experience at Eastern. My hope is that you will now be able to apply that experience to help bring meaning, not only to your own life, but to the world in which you live. Ignatius used to close his letters with the exhortation...."Go and set the world on fire!"

Class of 2010 live extraordinary lives. Dream dreams. Boldly pursue knowledge like a sinking star May you find peace in a troubled world, hope for a better tomorrow, and the love of a savior who will hold you in the palm of his hand. God Bless You. Now GO and //**set the world on fire!**//